Patient handling equipment improvements to enhance care during patient transfers

Patient transfers are a daily occurrence in numerous healthcare settings. Patient transfers require the use of patient handling equipment to reduce the physical loading during patient lifts. When used, this equipment is thought to reduce the risk of low back injuries by eliminating the manual lifting requirements otherwise faced by healthcare workers. However, difficulties with using patient handling aids contribute to lack of acceptance and use in healthcare settings. The purpose of this study is to identify opportunities to improve existing patient handling equipment, and more specifically the use of portable floor-based lifts and slings. A task analysis was performed to systematically evaluate physical demands and opportunities for error when transferring a 150 lb patient from a bed to a commode using a portable lift and sling system. A focus group was conducted to confirm problems identified in the task analysis and identify opportunities to improve the design of the lift and slings. Simple low-cost design solutions were identified and prototyped as a result of the study. A subsequent study systematically tests the impact of the improvements on error, time, perceived physical exertion, and usability during simulated patient transfer tasks.